By Melinda L. Lucas

The dream of a place for local senior citizens to call their own is close to becoming a reality after Albany city council members voted to facilitate the purchase of the Shekinah office building for use as a senior citizen center.

At their regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 14, the council also approved members of a committee that has already started raising the $85,000 asking price for the structure, as well as funds that will be needed for remodeling.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Albany Chest campaign is off and running, with directors setting a 2019 goal of $42,000, the same as last year’s. 

Twenty-four different organizations, including one new applicant, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board during a meeting held on Wednesday, Oct. 9. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Fires on opposites sides of the county had all available volunteers busy on Tuesday night, as well as a number of surrounding fire departments.

Rural fire chief Brad Henry said that local firefighters concentrated on a fire that burned about 550 acres on Davis and Van Zant properties, caused by a malfunctioning wind turbine.

Henry thought that a second fire to the north was actually in Throckmorton County and was taken care of by firefighters there.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Four directors were re-elected to another term and plans made for the 2020 show during the annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association held Tuesday night, Oct. 8.

Fandangle veteran and longtime director Lanham Martin stepped down as president after one term but will remain an active member of the board.

by Kathy Thomson

Early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 5 Special Election to adopt or reject the Proposed Constitutional Amendments to the Texas Constitution will take place at the Shackelford County Courthouse from Monday, Oct. 21 through Friday, Nov. 1.

Early in-person voting is held on the first floor of the Courthouse Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and on Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners will take a look at recycling a ramp that was once located on the north side of the Courthouse after discussing the need for a handicapped ramp at the justice of the peace office.

The regular meeting was held on Tuesday morning, Oct. 15 instead of the usual second Monday schedule because of the Columbus Day holiday.

Handicap Ramp

By Kathy Thomson

Any new applications for the commodity food program need to be turned in by Monday, Oct. 21 in order to be eligible to receive the special Thanksgiving bag along with November commodities on Nov. 1 in Albany or Nov. 5 for Moran residents.

By Kathy Thomson

Shackelford County senior adults (60 and up) are invited to attend the Resource Center’s October senior luncheon to be held Friday, Oct. 18 at the Youth Center beginning at 11:15 a.m.

First Christian Church will be hosting the meal this month, according to program assistant Ragan Riley.

The menu for the October luncheon is baked chicken, corn, asparagus, and hot rolls, and the theme will be Halloween.

By Kathy Thomson

All parents of students attending Albany schools are requested to volunteer to help with the Parent-Teacher Organization’s Fall Fest next weekend, and local room mothers are working with coordinators Malarie Sutton and Shayna Duke to finalize plans for the fundraising event.

Fall Fest will take place at Nancy Smith Elementary School from 5:00 until around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. The annual event benefits all grades, even through high school, and all parents and teachers are asked to help.

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany band received a rating of two at the Seymour Marching Band Festival in Seymour last Saturday, Oct. 12, and their next contest takes place in just a few days.

The University Interscholastic League East Zone marching band contest will be held at Wylie High School Stadium in Abilene on Monday, Oct. 21, with Albany set to perform at 2:30 p.m.